Dudley Stop Smoking Service

Why is illegal tobacco bad for you?

All tobacco is harmful and illegal tobacco is a danger to health, particularly to children and young people as they are often targeted by those who sell illegal cigarettes, as it is sold at ‘pocket money prices’ making it easier for them to take up the habit.

All tobacco products are bad for you whether they are bought legitimately from a retailer or illegally on the black market. All tobacco products contain over 4,000 chemicals, at least 60 of which are known to cause cancer.

The people who sell to them do not care who they sell to and are often linked to criminal gangs.

Illegal tobacco can be sold from shops, pubs & clubs, workplaces or residential houses (fag houses). Selling illegal tobacco is a crime and can result in serious fines or prison sentences.

Young and vulnerable people are often the ones to visit ‘fag houses’ to buy cigarettes. It puts them into risky situations with people who might also be selling drugs, alcohol and stolen goods.

Counterfeit tobacco products have no quality controls and can be made in very unhygienic conditions.

Manufacturers and suppliers will also add water to the tobacco to make it feel heavier so you may think you are buying 50g of hand rolling tobacco but what you are actually getting is 30g – what a ‘rip off’ and adding water will also make the tobacco go mouldy